I received 10g of this, as it was recently the “sample of the month”. 10g is such a big amount of tea to give away for free! It’s enough for at least 4 (4oz) cups!
Anyway, the matcha makes this tea very intense. I can see why I’m not a regular matcha drinker — not that I don’t think it’s delicious, because it is — but because as soon as I took the first few sips, I could already feel it!
The matcha adds a nice, intensity — sweetness and even marine flavors — to the already well-balanced sencha. The 2nd and third steepings were yummy too. I try to limit caffeine intake, so I’m not sure I’d buy 2oz of this, but I’d consider it, because it’s like two different teas in one and I enjoy both. (Plus, its an easy way to get to drink matcha without having to buy all the other fiddely tools)
I was quite hesitant to do the 2nd infusion at 15 sec as the website suggests, but I was shocked that it wasn’t much lighter in liquor or flavor than the 1st.
mm this sounds interesting!
3rd infusion, 20 sec. almost identical to infusion 2.
4th infusion, 25 sec. Still a very good cuppa although there’s definitely more sencha then matcha by now.
5th infusion, 30 sec. Progressively sweeter.
6th infusion, 40 sec. 1st Liquor that’s noticeably lighter. Not as sweet, a bit astringent which gives the flavor palet depth and complexity.
7th infusion, 1 min. Very light, but still good. Astringent, yet sweet. Calling these leaves done. The only thing I hate about finely chopped leaves like this is that they’re a slimey mess after a few infusions.